Mounting device for locking a roll of material

ABSTRACT

A mounting device for easily and quickly locking a roll of material wound around an elongated core between two supporting arms of a roll supporting device is disclosed. The mounting device comprises a tubular member provided with a fastener for fastening the tubular member to one of the arms. The mounting device also comprises a shaft slidably mounted through the tubular member. The shaft has first and second ends extending outside the tubular member. The first end of the shaft is provided with a handle and the second end of the shaft is provided with an engaging member for engaging with an end of the core. The shaft is movable relative to the tubular member between a locking position wherein the engaging member is pushed against the end of the core, and an unlocking position wherein the engaging member is withdrawn from the end of the core. The mounting device further comprises a locking device operatively associated with the tubular member and the shaft for locking the shaft into the locking position.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of wrapping machines, and more specifically, the present invention relates to a mounting device for locking a roll of material such as, for example, film, on a wrapping apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] For shipment or storage, it is a common practice to prepare bulk goods stacked on a pallet by wrapping the palletized load with stretched film.

[0003] One known approach is to position the palletized load on a rotating table and dispense the stretched film in engagement with the load as the load is rotated. In such a case, a roll of film is disposed on a vertical axis. Only gravity is needed to keep the roll in place on a shaft while the wrapping process is in progress. Examples of such approach are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,369,614; 4,616,474 and 5,606,849.

[0004] Also known in the art are wrapping machines that have a carriage that rotates on a horizontal axis. These wrapping machines are generally used to wrap long products such as carpet rolls, tubes or the like. These wrapping machines can reach very high rotation per minute (RPM) in order to gain wrapping time. Since the roll of film is disposed on a horizontal axis on such machine, the latter is usually provided with a locking device that will prevent the roll of film from being “launched off” the carriage during the wrapping procedure.

[0005] In connection to this, several devices have been used to securely hold a roll of film on wrapping machines having the roll disposed on a horizontal axis. Most of the prior art devices are effective but they are very complex. In fact, they often use pneumatic or hydraulic activating systems. They are also expensive to manufacture and usually need many steps to operate.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need for a mounting device for locking a roll of material on a wrapping apparatus that is simple to operate, easy to manufacture and does not require pneumatic or hydraulic activating systems to activate the device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a mounting device for locking a roll of material on a wrapping apparatus that will fulfil the above mentioned needs.

[0008] In accordance with the present invention, that object is achieved with a mounting device for locking a roll of material wound around an elongated core between two supporting arms, the mounting device comprising:

[0009] a tubular member provided with a fastening means for fastening the tubular member to one of the arms;

[0010] a shaft slidably mounted through the tubular member, the shaft having first and second ends extending outside the tubular member, the first end of the shaft being provided with a handle, the second end of the shaft being provided with an engaging member for engaging with an end of the core, the shaft being movable relative to the tubular member between a locking position wherein the engaging member is pushed against the end of the core, and an unlocking position wherein the engaging member is withdrawn from the end of the core; and

[0011] a locking means operatively associated with the tubular member and the shaft for locking the shaft into the locking position.

[0012] The present invention is also directed to supporting device for supporting a roll of material wound around an elongated core. The supporting device comprises a frame with first and second arms for holding the roll. The first arm is provided with an engaging member for engaging an end of the core. Furthermore, the supporting device comprises a mounting device as defined above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The present invention and its advantages will be more easily understood after reading the following non-restrictive description of a preferred embodiment thereof, made with reference to the following drawings wherein:

[0014]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a supporting device supporting a roll of material, comprising a mounting device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0015]FIG. 2 is a side view of the supporting device of FIG. 1, without the roll of material.

[0016]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the mounting device of FIGS. 1 and 2 set in a first operating position.

[0017]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the mounting device of FIGS. 1 and 2 in a second operating position.

[0018]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the mounting device of FIGS. 1 and 2 in a third operating position.

[0019]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the mounting device of FIGS. 1 and 2 in a fourth operating position.

[0020]FIG. 7 is a side view of the supporting device of FIG. 1, provided with a roll of material when the mounting device is set in the first operating position.

[0021]FIG. 8 is a side view of the supporting device of FIG. 1, provided with a roll of material when the mounting device is set in the second operating position.

[0022]FIG. 9 is a side view of the supporting device of FIG. 1, provided with a roll of material when the mounting device is set in the fourth operating position.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0023] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a supporting device 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention for supporting a roll 12 of material wound around an elongated core. The supporting device 10 comprises a frame 14 with arms 16 and 18 for holding the roll 12. The arm 16 is provided with an engaging member 20 for engaging an end of the core. Furthermore, the supporting device 10 comprises a mounting device 22 for locking the roll 12 onto the supporting device 10. The mounting device 22 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6.

[0024] It will be understood that the supporting device 10 of the present invention may be any device that is suitable for supporting a roll 12 of material. Such a supporting device 10 may be a hand-held dispenser or an automatically operated device, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, for preferably wrapping goods. It will be also understood that the material can be any type of material which can be wound around a core. However, the present invention is particularly useful for a film material in the field of wrapping goods.

[0025] Referring now to FIGS. 3 to 6, there is shown according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the mounting device 22 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The mounting device comprises a tubular member 24 provided with a fastening device preferably made of a plate, screws and nuts for fastening the tubular member 24 to the arm 18 as also shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Alternatively, the tubular member 24 may be simply welded to the arm 18 if the chosen materials for the parts allow it, or the tubular member 24 may be an integral part of the arm 18.

[0026] The mounting device also comprises a shaft 28 slidably mounted through the tubular member 24 as shown in FIG. 3. The shaft 28 has ends 30 and 32 extending outside the tubular member 24 as shown in FIG. 5. The end 30 is provided with a handle 34. The end 32 is provided with an engaging member 36 for engaging with an end of the core. Referring back to FIGS. 3 to 6, the shaft 28 is movable relative to the tubular member 24 between a locking position (shown in FIG. 6) wherein the engaging member 36 is pushed against the respective end of the core, and an unlocking position (shown in FIG. 3) wherein the engaging member 36 is withdrawn from the end of the core, thereby allowing easy removal and replacement of the roll 12.

[0027] As illustrated throughout the figures, the mounting device 22 further comprises a locking device operatively associated with the tubular member 24 and the shaft 28 for locking the shaft 28 into the locking position. Preferably, the locking device comprises a tooth 40 projecting outwardly from the shaft 28 and a groove extending in the tubular member 24 for guiding the tooth 40 along a path located between unlocking and locking positions as shown in FIG. 3.

[0028] The groove preferably comprises a first groove portion 44 extending along the length of the tubular member 24 and a second groove portion 46 extending along an axis transversal to the first groove portion 44. Preferably, the second groove portion 46 comprises an end portion 48 extending away from the arm 18 for confining the tooth 40 in the locking position, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0029] Preferably, the path formed by the groove portions 44 and 46 is substantially L-shaped. The unlocking position and the locking position are thus defined respectively in relation to the first and second groove portions 44 and 46.

[0030] As can be appreciated by viewing FIG. 2, the mounting device 22 of the present invention may advantageously comprise a biasing device such as a spring 50 with opposite ends respectively abutting a shoulder 52 on the shaft 28 and a rim 54 of the tubular member 24. In the present invention, the spring 50 biases the shaft 28 with respect to the tubular member 24 in such a way that the shaft 28 is pushed away from the arm 18 when the tooth 40 is located in the end portion 48, as shown in FIG. 6. Therefore, the spring 50 advantageously prevents the tooth 40 from moving out of the end portion of the second groove portion 46, as shown in FIG. 6.

[0031] Referring back to FIGS. 3 to 6, the present invention according to a preferred embodiment proposes a system that prevents rotation of the shaft 28 relative to the tubular member 24. In such a system, the shaft 28 is provided with a through-hole 58, as shown in FIG. 3, and the tubular member 24 is provided with a pair of opposite apertures 56, only one aperture of the pair being shown in FIGS. 3 to 6. Furthermore, in the proposed system, the mounting device may comprise a safety pin 64 shaped to slidably fit into the through-hole 58 of the shaft 28 and the apertures 56 of the tubular member 24 when the tooth 40 is located in the end portion 48 of the groove thus allowing the system to prevent any rotation of the shaft 28, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 6 in conjunction with FIG. 9. It will be understood by a skilled person that the safety pin 64 may be provided at one of its ends with resilient protuberances 70, as shown in FIG. 2, thus preventing the safety pin 64 from sliding out of the through-hole 58 and the apertures 56. Therefore, it will be understood that any device that prevents or restrains the safety pin 64 to slid out will suffice.

[0032] As can be appreciated by viewing FIG. 9, the mounting device may further comprise a detector 60 for detecting the safety pin 64 when set into the through-hole 58 of the shaft 28 and the apertures 56 of the tubular member 24 and for emitting a signal representative of the presence of the safety pin 64. The detector is fastened to the arm 18 in the vicinity of the tubular member 24 and in such a way that the detector 60 is at a functional detecting distance from the safety pin 64. The signal may be an electric signal or any other kind of signals which will prevent the whole system to be in function if the operator has not set in place the safety pin 64. Most preferably, the detector 60 is a device that detects metal, such as a proximity sensor. In this connection, the present invention prefers employing a safety pin 64 made of metal. Nevertheless, in a situation that the safety pin 64 is made of a material other than metal, it will be understood that any other type of detectors which will fulfill its role of allowing the system to be in function only if the safety pin 64 has been detected to be in its place may be used.

[0033] A particular advantage of the mounting device according to the present invention is that it requires only three (3) simple steps in order to lock a roll 12 of film onto a supporting device 10. Thus, immediately after placing the roll 12 of film onto the engaging member 20 of the supporting device 10 as shown in FIG. 7, the user first presses on the handle 34, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 4 in conjunction with FIG. 8, to push the engaging member 36 against the core end of the roll 12. Secondly, the user turns the handle 34 by an angle of approximately 90°, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 5, in order to slide the tooth 40 along the second groove portion 46 until it reaches the end portion 48. Then the biasing action of the spring 50 shown by arrow A of FIG. 6 automatically keeps the tooth 40 in the end portion 48 as shown in FIG. 6. Optionally, the safety pin 64 may be inserted through the through-hole 58 and the apertures 56 in order to prevent accidental rotation of the shaft, as shown by arrow B of FIG. 6. As can be appreciated by viewing FIG. 9, the roll 12 of film is therefor locked on the supporting device 10 by the mounting device 22 of the present invention.

[0034] Although a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to this precise embodiment and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A mounting device for locking a roll of material wound around an elongated core between two supporting arms, the mounting device comprising: a tubular member provided with a fastening means for fastening the tubular member to one of the arms; a shaft slidably mounted through the tubular member, the shaft having first and second ends extending outside the tubular member, the first end of the shaft being provided with a handle, the second end of the shaft being provided with an engaging member for engaging with an end of the core, the shaft being movable relative to the tubular member between a locking position wherein the engaging member is pushed against the end of the core, and an unlocking position wherein the engaging member is withdrawn from the end of the core; and a locking means operatively associated with the tubular member and the shaft for locking the shaft into the locking position.
 2. A mounting device according to claim 1, wherein the locking means comprises: a tooth projecting outwardly from the shaft; and a groove extending in the tubular member for guiding the tooth along a path located between unlocking and locking positions.
 3. A mounting device according to claim 2, wherein the groove comprises: a first groove portion extending along the length of the tubular member; and a second groove portion extending along an axis transversal to the first groove portion, the groove portions forming the path which is L-shaped, the unlocking position and the locking position being defined respectively in relation to the first and second groove portions.
 4. A mounting device according to claim 3, wherein the second groove portion comprises an end portion extending away from said one arm for confining the tooth in the locking position.
 5. A mounting device according to claim 4, comprising biasing means for biasing the shaft with respect to the tubular member in such a way that the shaft is pushed away from said one arm when the tooth is located in the end portion, the biasing means preventing the tooth from moving out of the end portion.
 6. A mounting device according to claim 5, wherein the biasing means is a spring with opposite ends respectively abutting a shoulder on the shaft and a rim of the tubular member.
 7. A mounting device according to claim 6, wherein the tubular member is provided with a pair of opposite apertures, and the shaft is provided with a through-hole, the mounting device further comprising a safety pin shaped to slidably fit into the through-hole of the shaft and the apertures of the tubular member when the tooth of the shaft is located in the end portion of the second groove portion.
 8. A mounting device according to claim 7, further comprising a detector for detecting the safety pin when set into the through-hole of the shaft and the apertures of the tubular member and for emitting a signal representative of the presence of the safety pin, the detector being fastened to the second arm in the vicinity of the tubular member and in such a way that the detector is at a functional detecting distance from the safety pin.
 9. A supporting device for supporting a roll of material wound around an elongated core, the supporting device comprising: a frame with first and second arms for holding the roll, the first arm being provided with an engaging member for engaging an end of the core; and a mounting device comprising: a tubular member provided with a fastening means for fastening the tubular member to the second arm; a shaft slidably mounted through the tubular member, the shaft having first and second ends extending outside the tubular member, the first end of the shaft being provided with a handle, the second end of the shaft being provided with an engaging member for engaging with a second end of the core, the shaft being movable relative to the tubular member between a locking position wherein the engaging member is pushed against the second end of the core, and an unlocking position wherein the engaging member is withdrawn from the second end of the core; and a locking means operatively associated with the tubular member and the shaft for locking the shaft into the locking position.
 10. A supporting device according to claim 9, wherein the locking means comprises: a tooth projecting outwardly from the shaft; and a groove extending in the tubular member for guiding the tooth along a path located between unlocking and locking positions.
 11. A supporting device according to claim 10, wherein the groove comprises: a first groove portion extending along the length of the tubular member; and a second groove portion extending along an axis transversal to the first groove portion, the groove portions forming the path which is L-shaped, the unlocking position and the locking position being defined respectively in relation to the first and second groove portions.
 12. A supporting device according to claim 11, wherein the second groove portion comprises an end portion extending away from the second arm for confining the tooth in the locking position.
 13. A supporting device according to claim 12, comprising biasing means for biasing the shaft with respect to the tubular member in such a way that the shaft is pushed away from the second arm when the tooth is located in the end portion, the biasing means preventing the tooth from moving out of the end portion.
 14. A supporting device according to claim 13, wherein the biasing means is a spring with opposite ends respectively abutting a shoulder on the shaft and a rim of the tubular member.
 15. A supporting device according to claim 14, wherein the tubular member is provided with a pair of opposite apertures, and the shaft is provided with a through-hole, the mounting device further comprising a safety pin shaped to slidably fit into the through-hole of the shaft and the apertures of the tubular member when the tooth of the shaft is located in the end portion of the second groove portion.
 16. A supporting device according to claim 15, further comprising a detector for detecting the safety pin when set into the through-hole of the shaft and the apertures of the tubular member and for emitting a signal representative of the presence of the safety pin, the detector being fastened to the second arm in the vicinity of the tubular member and in such a way that the detector is at a functional detecting distance from the safety pin.
 17. A mounting device for locking a roll of material wound around an elongated core between two supporting arms, the mounting device comprising: a tubular member provided with a fastening means for fastening the tubular member to one of the arms; a shaft slidably mounted through the tubular member, the shaft having first and second ends extending outside the tubular member, the first end of the shaft being provided with a handle, the second end of the shaft being provided with an engaging member for engaging with an end of the core, the shaft being movable relative to the tubular member between a locking position wherein the engaging member is pushed against the end of the core, and an unlocking position wherein the engaging member is withdrawn from the end of the core; a locking means operatively associated with the tubular member and the shaft for locking the shaft into the locking position, the locking means comprising: a tooth projecting outwardly from the shaft; and a groove extending in the tubular member for guiding the tooth along a path located between unlocking and locking positions, the groove comprising: a first groove portion extending along the length of the tubular member; and a second groove portion extending along an axis transversal to the first groove portion, the groove portions forming the path which is L-shaped, the unlocking position and the locking position being defined respectively in relation to the first and second groove portions, the second groove portion comprising an end portion extending away from said one arm for confining the tooth in the locking position; and biasing means for biasing the shaft with respect to the tubular member in such a way that the shaft is pushed away from said one arm when the tooth is located in the end portion, the biasing means preventing the tooth from moving out of the end portion. 